DECORATING, CRAFTS, AND GARDENING

While I'm not a crafting expert, I have done several projects that I've really enjoyed. I'll share a new one with you each month.

My most recent craft was a wreath that I decorated for my mother-in-laws birthday.

And just before that...ok this past Summer...lol...I refinished a $1.00 garage sale find. (I had paid $20 to have one made just last year.)It was finished with a walnut stain but no sealer coat of any type.
I painted it with a little leftover paint...leaving some of the stain showing. Then, I sanded it down in some spots to show the bare wood. Finally, I ran a light coat of stain over it all to "antique" it.
Sorry the pictures don't show it at it's best!
I will be using it in our Master Bed Room as a "headboard"...with a quilt hanging from it.

Click on the craft basket to see the archived crafts. FIRE STARTERS -MelissaTX:From the IE

Supplies:	Directions:
Parafin Hamster litter (aka cedar shavings Paper muffin cups Muffin baking pans Old sauce pan	Melt the parafin in a sauce pan warming it gently so as not to get it too hot. While that's heating, place hamster litter (cedar shavings) into paper muffin cups Put paper cups in muffin baking pans When parafin's liquidy,pour over the shavings in the paper muffin cups. These smell very nice and really work to help with the fire.

Scented Gel :Ilene from the IE

Supplies:

Directions:

2 cups of liquid potpourri (found in Walmart or craft store) 4 packs of knox gelatin

Heat one cup of the liquid potpourri to a boil, bring it to a boil like you are making jello. stir in the knox gelatin and mix until dissolved. Add the other cup of liquid at room temp. (I've found that) the cheaper types of liquid potpouri in the craft stores do not have the same amount of strong scent as the expensive ones at bodyworks. So...Michaels (and I am sure other places too) sells the small 2 oz. bottles of extract for cooking and cake flavor etc. I now add 1 cap of this (or more depending on the amount of gelatin you are using) to the potpourri. Example...if I am using vanilla smelling liquid potpouri I add about a capful of the clear vanilla extract to it to strengthen the smell ...almond for almond, etc. Pour into wide mounthed jars or decorative bowls and cover with Saran wrap. Put in fridge until set. They will last several months. I also put the gel into the little 8 oz. canning jars with the gold rims and gold sealed tops... put a scrap piece of lace over the seal then screw the jar rim right over the lace... when you want scent in a room you just remove the gold flat top and re-screw the lace down with the rim on the canning jar. They make a great gift.

Come in and visit my garden page, too.

Links

Aunt Annie's Crafts	Craft Mall.com	Benjamin Moore Paints	Dick Blick Art Materials	Country Sampler& Decorating Ideas	Faux Like A Pro
Burpee	Garden Gate	Hobby Lobby Crafts	Garden Web	US Dept. of Agriculture	Botanique
I Craft	Timber Press	Making Friends	Michael's Crafts	National Craft Association	National Garden Bureau
Garden Design	Garden Plans	That Home Site	The Everyday Decorator	Welcome Home	World Wide Visions